ABS
ABS News
Autonomy on Trial
When discussing the arrival of autonomous workboats, many – especially those developing the technologies that enable them – say it’s is not a matter of if, but when. In fact, autonomous harbor tugs are already being put to the test in Singapore, where authorities hope to establish the technological infrastructure to enable fully autonomous ship operations. In the U.S., an autonomous vessel was shown to be able to respond to marine oil spills.But is autonomy really the future?
ABS Offering Most Annual Class Surveys Remotely
As remote surveys increasingly become business as usual, classification society ABS says it is now able to conduct nearly all annual surveys remotely on eligible vessels, after moving to further expand its remote offerings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Launching 10 additional remote survey options today, ABS says it now offers a total of 28 surveys and audits able to be delivered remotely.“The industry is telling us they want our services delivered remotely…
Trends and Projections for Future Fuels and Decarbonization
ABS has published the latest trends and projections on carbon-reduction strategies for shipping as the industry looks to meet decarbonization ambitions.Setting the Course to Low Carbon Shipping examines new fuels, technologies and operational measures and matches that with forecasts for the world’s key trade lanes to envision what shipping may look like in 2030 and 2050.The second of two ‘Outlook’…
ABS Accepting 3D Models for Class Surveys
Classification society ABS said it completed a pilot project with U.S. shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO that used 3D digital models for class surveys. This project means ABS is able to fully support 3D model integration into engineering and now survey.The pilot saw surveyors use 3D digital models instead of traditional 2D drawings for the simulation of new construction surveys on several steel blocks.
ABS Publishes Marine Autonomy Guidance
Classification society ABS published guidance on the journey to autonomy, including a goal-based framework for autonomous requirements. The ABS Advisory on Autonomous Functionality addresses the application of autonomous functions in the maritime and offshore industries, the infrastructure enabling these functions and key regulatory developments.“Autonomous technology is gradually reshaping the maritime industry…
McAllister Takes Delivery of New Tug Eileen McAllister
McAllister Towing announced Tuesday it has taken delivery of a newly built 6,770-horsepower shipdocking tug, Eileen McAllister, slated to enter service in Port Everglades, Fla.The 34th tractor tug in McAllister’s fleet, Eileen McAllister was built by Washburn & Doughty in Maine and set sail for its new home port following delivery on Monday.The 93- by 38-foot newbuild is powered by 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines with twin Schottel SRP 490 Z-drive units and Markey winches…
ABS Publishes New Data and Digital Advisories
Classification society ABS launched two new advisories designed to help harness the potential of digital technologies for the maritime and offshore industries.The ABS Advisory on Structural Health Monitoring: The Application of Sensor-Based Approaches focuses on the use of sensors to determine structural health status and predict future condition. Sensors on modern assets provide vital information on the structural health…
Remote Surveys Becoming Business as Usual
Remote vessel and equipment surveys have been available in the maritime world for years, but classification societies are seeing increased demand for these services as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business during the coronavirus outbreak.Using real-time video communication tools, and even drones and robotics when applicable, surveyors are able to work with stakeholders to perform inspections without having to be on site…
ABS Helps Ensure Readiness of US Hospital Ships
ABS made a key contribution to the nation’s COVID-19 response effort, helping ensure the readiness of two ABS-classed U.S. Navy hospital ships.ABS surveyors on the U.S. East and West coast helped the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort sail to provide urgently needed hospital beds in New York and Los Angeles.USNS Mercy was in her home port in San Diego making preparations for a large shipyard repair package scheduled to begin in April.
ABS Expands Remote Survey Options
Classification society ABS said it is expanding its remote survey options for vessel owners and extending its remote survey and audit services for equipment and materials manufacturers and other service providers. The move comes as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business amid the coronavirus outbreak.“As organizations rely more heavily on remote and virtual operations, ABS is making…
Lankhorst Deepwater Mooring Lines for Liza Unity FPSO
Lankhorst Offshore reports it has been awarded a contract by SBM Offshore to supply the deepwater mooring lines for the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) for ExxonMobil’s Liza oil field offshore Guyana, South America. This follows the deployment of Lankhorst mooring lines for the Liza Destiny FPSO mooring system also in the Liza field.The Liza Unity FPSO, based on SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward FPSO design…
ABS to Class Largest TYPE-B VLECs
A Pair of 99,000cbm VLECs Now Under ConstructionTwo of the largest VLECs ever ordered are now under construction to ABS class at Jiangnan Shipyard following a successful…
USCG, ABS Approve Wireless Helm System for ATBs
U.S.-based autonomous marine systems developer Sea Machines announced on Tuesday that it has received class and regulatory approval to install its commercial wireless helm system aboard a class of U.S.-flag tugboats that support articulated tug-barge (ATB) sets, marking an industry first in wireless vessel control.The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approval for Sea Machines’…
For Fireboats, The Heat is On
These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities.
ABS-Classed LNG Carrier Delivered
The ABS-classed Saga Dawn, the first LNG Carrier to be fitted with an innovative cargo containment system based on IMO requirements for independent type A tanks, has been delivered to Saga LNG Shipping.The 45,000-m3 Saga LNG Shipping vessel, which completed three weeks of gas trials in June, was constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry at its Jiangsu shipyard in Haimen, China.The LNT A-BOX system was developed by LNT Marine.
ABS Grants AIP for Dual-Fuel Bulker Design
ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Deltamarin and GTT for a dual-fuel Newcastlemax bulk carrier design.Deltamarin, GTT and ABS have been cooperating on the development of this LNG-Fueled energy efficient Newcastlemax Bulk Carrier that is intended to meet current and future environmental targets, by introducing GTT Membrane type LNG Tanks with LNG fuel stored at atmospheric pressure and…
First Jones Act SOV Gets ABS Nod
Classification society ABS said it has granted the first Approval in Principle (AIP) to VARD for its design of a Jones Act service operations vessel (SOV).The AIP addresses a customized version of VARD 4 07 US SOV design, with primary functions including accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations in US offshore wind farms.According to Vard…
ABS Brings Together Taiwan's Industry Leaders
Taiwan’s maritime industry leaders met to debate decarbonization, digital technologies and the future of safety at the annual ABS Taiwan National Committee meeting.“As the leading class organization in Taiwan, ABS is able to call on the expertise of leaders to inform our approach to meeting industry challenges such as meeting IMO 2030 and 2050 objectives while ensuring safety standards are not compromised and keep pace with technological challenges,” said Christopher J.
LNG Cargo Ready Notation for Ethane Carriers
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the provider of classification, technical, and regulatory services for the marine industry, launched the industry’s first LNG…
ABS and HHI Group Join Forces on D&D
ABS, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Global Service (HGS) have agreed on a framework for the exchange of Digitalization and Decarbonization (D&D) concepts to apply to present and future designs. This new framework will be an industry first D&D ecosystem between class, shipyard and ship service company.Launched at a ceremony during Gastech, the new framework enables HHI, HGS and ABS to support…
